Inside the Numbers: Colorado Rapids substitutes making an impact

After Edson Buddle scored for the second straight game off the bench last week against Sporting KC, I reached out to the Elias Sports Bureau for some help with statistics since it was the fourth straight game in which a second half sub scored a goal for Colorado.

Buddle has scored three of his four goals off the bench. He’s tied with Philadelphia’s Antoine Hoppenot for goals as a sub this season (3), behind RSL’s Olmes Garcia (5).

Colorado also had nine goals off the bench in Oscar Pareja’s first season in 2012.

The club’s previous high for goals from subs was in 2005 when the Rapids scored 11 off the bench

In 1998, the Rapids set the league record with 18 goals by substitutes.

I asked Edson Buddle how he stays ready and what's allowed him to contribute off the bench this season:

"Coach always tells us the lineup the day before, and I'm able to prepare: Buddle said. "When you come off the bench you just want to change the game, you want to add something to the game, and be available for your teammates in the last moments of a game. Sometimes the opportunity comes your way and just have to take it. It's not going to be pretty all the time. I've scored some nice goals and some nasty one, and they count the same way."

Buddle is a likely option to return to the starting lineup against his former club, the LA Galaxy, on Saturday (8:30 p.m. MT, Altitude TV).